The destruction of local identity through the relentless encroachment of a 'McDonald-ized' cultural imperialism is a global phenomenon. Yet the reactions of Pacific peoples to this Western hegemony are diverse and encourage the creation of independent cultural identities through sports and games, political mediations, tourism, media and filmmaking, and the struggles for land rights and titles, particularly in Australia.This book, based on extensive fieldwork, addresses a subject of great immediacy to peoples of the Pacific Island nations. It fills an important gap in existing ethnographic literature on the region and confidently navigates what had previously been considered uncharted, even unchartable, waters -- that wide sea between the classic ethnography of Oceania and contemporary anthropology's theoretical concerns with global relations and transnational cultures. Its breadth, rigour, and timely contribution to post-colonial politics in Oceania are certain to ensure that this book will provide an enduring contribution to the field.

Also available in hardback, 9781859731543 GBP55.00 (August, 1998)

About the Author
Jurg Wassmann University of Heidelberg

Reviews
'This collection conveys in an exemplary manner the many diverse (sometimes confusing) strands of current anthropological research in Europe ... Pacific Answers to Western Hegemony is a complex volume, and a brief review cannot do full justice to the richness and breadth of the empirical case presented ... this book gives valuable insights into the social and cultural dynamics of today's Oceania.The Contemporary Pacific'A valuable contribution to better understanding some of the difficulties faced by Pacific communities.'The Journal of Pacific Studies



Book Information
ISBN 9781859731598
Author Jurg Wassmann
Format Paperback
Page Count 458
Imprint Berg Publishers
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g